Origin of the atmosphere The early atmosphere very different than today. It was mostly made of water vapor, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen from the out-gassing of volcanoes. All of the water vapor from the volcanoes cooling went into oceans. Carbon dioxide was also produced and used by early organisms that performed photosynthesis. Other percentages of CO2 are tied up in rock deposits like limestone.
Why the atmosphere is important today The atmosphere holds the oxygen and moderates temperatures on Earth. It provides protection from asteroids, etc. For example think of moon surface and how it is different from the Earth's surface. The atmosphere, specifically the Ozone layer protects us from dangerous forms of electromagnetic energy.
Air pressure is caused by the weight of the atmosphere. It is generally greatest at the surface, and decreases as you gain altitude. A scientist would use a barometer to measure it. Differences in air pressure cause winds. Also, differences in air pressure is the main way to predict weather.
Factors that affect air pressure • Altitude: Air becomes less dense with increasing altitude. • Temperature: Colder air is more dense, therefore it is at a higher air pressure. • Humidity: Usually, air pressure decreases as humidity increases.
Winds are caused by the heat flow through the atmosphere (convection). They are the result of the uneven heating of the earth’s surface. The fastest winds occur when there is a large gradient (change) in pressure over a small distanc
Local winds: A Land breeze is a wind that blows from the land towards the sea. A sea breeze is a wind that blows from the sea towards the land, usually occurs during the afternoon as land heats up.
The coriolis effect • Apparent curvature of winds (or ocean currents etc.) over long distances along the earth’s surface. • Due to the rotation of the earth. • In the northern hemisphere, winds curve to the RIGHT. • Southern hemisphere is opposite. Jet streams • Very fast currents of air in the upper atmosphere. • Where we live, the jet stream flows from west to east. • This knowledge helps us to predict weather. • Meaning, we will most likely experience the weather that is to the west of us. Recap
Be able to discuss the following: • How did the atmosphere form, and what is its current structure? • What is air pressure? • What are winds and what causes the strongest winds? • What is the coriolis effect? Weather Systems
How does energy enter the atmosphere? • The Sun is the major source of energy for the Earth. • Stars (like our Sun) give off electromagnetic energy, can you list any forms of electromagnetic energy? • Chart of the electromagnetic spectrum can be found on print page 14 of your ESRT. The states of water • Solid, liquid and gas. • Heat is measured in calories. • Temperature is the measure of the average kinetic energy of the atoms in a substance. • Melting and vaporization-energy is absorbed. • Freezing and solidification-energy is released. Synoptic Weather Map Shows a variety of atmospheric quantities such as temperature, air pressure, or specific weather conditions. • Synopsis (definition)= general summary. • Because weather generally moves from west to east, these maps can be used to make predictions about future weather. Air Masses • Large parcels of air that have a uniform temperature, pressure and humidity. • Leading edge of the air mass is called a front. • The characteristics of an air mass depends on it’s geographic origin. Types of air masses • cA-continental artic, very cold and very dry • cP-continental polar, cold and dry • cT-continental tropical, dry and warm • mT-maritime tropical, warm and moist • mP-maritime polar, cold and moist • In general, maritime=humid and continental=dry Weather systems/high pressure • Represented by a large “H” on weather map. • High pressure brings dry and cooler weather. • Circulate clockwise and outward, air is sinking. • Also known as an anticyclone.
Weather Systems/ Low pressure • Represented by a large “L” on map. • Associated with poor or stormy weather. • Air rises and moves inward, while circulating counterclockwise. • Also known as a cyclone. • Causes cloudy, rainy or changing conditions.
Origin of the atmosphere
The early atmosphere very different than today. It was mostly made of water vapor, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen from the out-gassing of volcanoes. All of the water vapor from the volcanoes cooling went into oceans. Carbon dioxide was also produced and used by early organisms that performed photosynthesis. Other percentages of CO2 are tied up in rock deposits like limestone.
Why the atmosphere is important today
The atmosphere holds the oxygen and moderates temperatures on Earth. It provides protection from asteroids, etc. For example think of moon surface and how it is different from the Earth's surface.
The atmosphere, specifically the Ozone layer protects us from dangerous forms of electromagnetic energy.
Air pressure is caused by the weight of the atmosphere. It is generally greatest at the surface, and decreases as you gain altitude. A scientist would use a barometer to measure it. Differences in air pressure cause winds. Also, differences in air pressure is the main way to predict weather.
Factors that affect air pressure
• Altitude: Air becomes less dense with increasing altitude.
• Temperature: Colder air is more dense, therefore it is at a higher air pressure.
• Humidity: Usually, air pressure decreases as humidity increases.
Winds are caused by the heat flow through the atmosphere (convection). They are the result of the uneven heating of the earth’s surface. The fastest winds occur when there is a large gradient (change) in pressure over a small distanc
Local winds:
A Land breeze is a wind that blows from the land towards the sea. A sea breeze is a wind that blows from the sea towards the land, usually occurs during the afternoon as land heats up.
The coriolis effect
• Apparent curvature of winds (or ocean currents etc.) over long distances along the earth’s surface.
• Due to the rotation of the earth.
• In the northern hemisphere, winds curve to the RIGHT.
• Southern hemisphere is opposite.
Jet streams
• Very fast currents of air in the upper atmosphere.
• Where we live, the jet stream flows from west to east.
• This knowledge helps us to predict weather.
• Meaning, we will most likely experience the weather that is to the west of us.
Recap
Be able to discuss the following:
• How did the atmosphere form, and what is its current structure?
• What is air pressure?
• What are winds and what causes the strongest winds?
• What is the coriolis effect?
Weather Systems
How does energy enter the atmosphere?
• The Sun is the major source of energy for the Earth.
• Stars (like our Sun) give off electromagnetic energy, can you list any forms of electromagnetic energy?
• Chart of the electromagnetic spectrum can be found on print page 14 of your ESRT.
The states of water
• Solid, liquid and gas.
• Heat is measured in calories.
• Temperature is the measure of the average kinetic energy of the atoms in a substance.
• Melting and vaporization-energy is absorbed.
• Freezing and solidification-energy is released.
Synoptic Weather Map
Shows a variety of atmospheric quantities such as temperature, air pressure, or specific weather conditions.
• Synopsis (definition)= general summary.
• Because weather generally moves from west to east, these maps can be used to make predictions about future weather.
Air Masses
• Large parcels of air that have a uniform temperature, pressure and humidity.
• Leading edge of the air mass is called a front.
• The characteristics of an air mass depends on it’s geographic origin.
Types of air masses
• cA-continental artic, very cold and very dry
• cP-continental polar, cold and dry
• cT-continental tropical, dry and warm
• mT-maritime tropical, warm and moist
• mP-maritime polar, cold and moist
• In general, maritime=humid and continental=dry
Weather systems/high pressure
• Represented by a large “H” on weather map.
• High pressure brings dry and cooler weather.
• Circulate clockwise and outward, air is sinking.
• Also known as an anticyclone.
Weather Systems/ Low pressure
• Represented by a large “L” on map.
• Associated with poor or stormy weather.
• Air rises and moves inward, while circulating counterclockwise.
• Also known as a cyclone.
• Causes cloudy, rainy or changing conditions.